Okay, I've read all of the threads explaining how great the activities are--I understand. BUT, what if I just want to use the Harmony 550 as a normal remote---meaning it controls all of my components but I decide what turns on and when.

I want to be able to have the main screen be my actual components and not a bunch of activites. I'll probably TRY the activities at some point but--well, would the current owners of this remote tell me if I would actually have that choice?

My current remote controls all of my components and I just press a button to select a component, then the lcd screen shows all of the buttons I've programmed in (along with some hard buttons). Basically I'm in control.

You could just hit the device button which gives you a list of devices. After selecting a device, hit Device again to get back to the menu. Then you can customize the commands for each device.

Why you'd want to do that is beyond me. Setting up activities is easy and allows anyone (even a wife!) to use the system. What is it about activities that you don't like?

Well, the main reason I want to check out the 550 is because it can do both. But if I don't like the activities, then I want to know I have the option to just control everything myself.

My girlfriend hates the remote I have now (rm-av3000). I figured this might be better because it has the "one button does it all" thing.

One other question: say I do not like the activities; can I just replace that main activities menu with a list of devices? Or does it force the activities thing on you no matter what?

Is there a manual online somewhere to read about this stuff?

1) You can't replace the main activities menu with the device menu but you can press the "Device" button to get a list of devices.
2) The website (your home page) has links to the online manual and many FAQs.
3) You can create a Generic Activity with all your devices and map any device commands to any Hard or Soft buttons. If you don't want activities to control the power of a device, then set the device power settings to "Leave On". The "Leave On" option is misleading. It should be named something like "Leave it alone", or "I don't want the activities to control the power of this device".

That sounds good. Maybe I'll give this thing a try.

I had to laugh when I saw the title of this thread "Harmony 550--what if I don't want activities?"

My simple answer is...save yourself some money, and buy a generic 6-in-1 remote. :-)

In my opinion the Activities in the Harmony remotes is what makes them so special.

I guess you're entitled to your opinion. I'm not looking for a generic remote that just has basic buttons like you suggest, but I'm also not looking for a remote that forces things on me like the harmony appears to. If you want to be brain dead while the remote does it for you, be my guest.

I want a remote that has a lot of extra buttons to map all of the options I need for my equipment--hopefully without having to scrolls through multiple pages on the LCD. I'm thinking an MX-500 might be a better option at this point.

If you don't want to use activities you'd be better off with something else.

I guess I'm just really concerned with whether or not my components have discreet power codes AND whether or not they are in the Harmony database. I guess I'm also concerned with pressing an activity button and then having the TV not receive the signal. Then the remote is "out of sync." That just sounds like a pain. How often does that happen?

I have an SA-XR55 Panny receiver and a PT-52LCX66 Panny TV. Can anyone tell me if those have discreet power codes in the Harmony database? It doesn't seem like I can check BEFORE I get a Harmony.

Actually, the remote doesn't "do all the work" for the braindead exactly. A competent person has to do the initial setup (anyone with any technical skill - which is most people these days - can do this. To fine tune it is the fun part. And you do have to understand your system in order to set it up. And uh, letting the remote do all the work is kind of it's purpose :)

Your basic questions have been answered but with regards to the out of sync problems - if its set up properly it shouldn't ever happen unless someone manually turns something on/off or someone blocks the signal while it is being sent. Even if it does, the remote has a "help" button which will ask a few basic questions (ie is the TV on?) and correct the problem.

I agree that to use the remote the way you want to isn't the best option - you will end up with alot of screens to scroll through for most AVR's for example. You'd honestly be better off keeping the multiple remotes you have IMO. I think once you used the activities you would like it though - I look at it as a great convenience and time saver/annoyance saver. Of course I know how to do it all manually, but what's the point. It would be like buying an automatic car then complaining that it isn't standard ;)

Also, if you are concerned with doing out of the ordinary things like listening to the radio don't worry about it. You can either set up an activity for this (kind of silly IMO), or what I do is enter an activity such as Watch TV, then just go to device mode and manually turn on the radio. I'm not sure what else you might be concerned about with the remote "doing all the work".

I checked your Panny TV and A/V receiver devices. It did not have your TV model PT-52LCX66 but it recommended model PT-52WX42 which has discrete power and input commands. Its default configuration uses the discrete method for both power and input. You SA-XR55 A/V receiver is in the database. It has discrete input commands but only the PowerToggle command for Power. Its default configuration uses the discrete method for input but the toggle method for power.

Note: Remember the Harmony is a leaning remote and new database entries are initiated by users.

My only concern with the remote doing all the work is that I want it to do it correctly EVERY TIME. If it can't, it's worthless to me. Even it it--"sometimes"--goes out of sync because one of the devices didn't receive a command, or somebody turned something on or off without using the remote.... I hope you can see where I'm heading with this, whether or not you feel the same way.

It's all about personal preference. I'm not exactly sure why you'd recommend that I keep using the original remotes. There are five of them and that would simply be stupid. And it's funny you mention having to scroll through lots of screens for AVRs because that's the other thing that I was concerned about. A Harmony remote can't possibly map all the buttons I need without using a bunch of pages on the LCD.

I appreciate all the responses that you guys provided. You have helped me FINALLY make a decision on what to purchase. I decided to go with an MX-500. I know you're probably thinking that's like a step down from a Harmony, but it'll allow me to map all the necessary buttons without any scrolling and it'll still allow me to use the same macros I would have used on a Harmoy. In truth, I can only think of one or two macros I would have needed anyway so it's perfect for me.

I like the looks of the Harmony remotes MUCH better, but you can't win them all.

No IR remote in the world will work correctly if someone walks in front of it or you point it the wrong way. Once the harmony is setup properly, it works. Every time. And if it doesn't you just hit HELP and answer a question or two and it's fixed.

Yes, I just don't see how the other remote mentioned could be any better in this regard since it isn't RF either. Even the factory remote won't work if someone walks in front of it. And any universal remote will get out of sync in the same situation. I don't see it as an issue myself - as mentioned, once it is setup properly it works flawlessly.

Seriously, if you don't want activities buy a different remote. Activities are its reason for being and its advantage over every other remote on the market. If you want to do things the hard way, the MX-500 is an excellent choice. It's well made, has a nice button layout and will give you a good workout while using your system. I have one somewhere in one of my closets. Without activities the Harmony remotes would be just another "dumb" universal remote that will never do quite what you want it to do.